Thlap’Qwum Trust

 ***Please note that the Thlap’Qwum Community Settlement Trust (TCST) is NOT currently accepting applications. ***

Questions?

Questions may be directed to Suzanne Trottier. 

Purpose of the Trust:

The general purpose of the Thlap’Qwum Community Settlement Trust (TCST) is to improve the quality of life of SFN members, by generating and maximizing wealth for SFN through the promotion and funding of opportunities, programs, initiatives, and services.

For example:

• Economic development
• Advancement of Douglas treaty rights
• Land Acquisition
• Community Priorities (as specified under Section 31.1)
• and the growth of the Original Capital and capital of the Trust (as specified under Section 5.7)

No part of the Trust Property will be paid, payable, or otherwise available for the personal benefit of any Trustee, Settler, or any SFN Member unless for a purpose authorized under the terms of this trust.

Background:

The Thlap’qwum Specific Claim was first filed in 1993 with Canada and the settlement claim from the Government of Canada was accepted by Chief and Council in 2019. We acknowledge and express gratitude and respect to former leaders and members of the community who have worked so diligently to bring our Nation to this point.

Snuneymuxw First Nation actively pursued this settlement with Canada for the loss of a 79-acre Indian Reserve that was located along Stewart Avenue in Nanaimo, across from Saysutshun. The 79-acres were wrongfully and unlawfully taken in the 1880s. Snuneymuxw First Nation Elders, including the late Chester Thomas, pressed the Snuneymuxw Government to address this loss. The Specific Claim was submitted in 1993 by late Chief Robert Thomas. Canada accepted the Specific Claim as valid, and offered to enter into negotiations in 2003.

These negotiations resulted in the settlement offer made by Canada in the summer of 2014. The Settlement Offer amounts to a total settlement amount of $49,148,121. Since 2003, negotiation costs for legal counsel and for the negotiations team cost $1,155,655. This was added to the settlement amount. Therefore, the net settlement amount under the 2014 offer is $47,992,466.

FNB Trust is humbled to serve as the Administrative Trustee of the Thlap’Qwum Trust. Trust With over 80+ years of combined trustee and trust service experience, we provide accounting and administrative services to ensure the Trust Agreement objectives of long- term sustainability, transparency and accountability to Snuneymuxw are met. Wholly owned by First Nations Bank of Canada, we only serve Indigenous trust clients, have a majority of Indigenous employees, and are only focused on supporting the Snuneymuxw First Nation to govern your Trust.

Use of the Trust Property:

Section 27 provides specific procedures respecting the disbursement of the Trust Property. There will be no distribution of Trust Property from the Original Capital of the Trust, except as authorized under Article 29.0.

Advance Requests of Funding:

The Thlap’Qwum Community Settlement Trust offers Membership the opportunity to apply for a grant two times a year, in January and July. 
Please note, there is only one opportunity every 5 years to apply for individual member requests.

Advance requests must adhere to both Section 5.1 and 31. Section 28 sets out the Protocol for Advance Requests from Members. The process can be summarized as follows:

• SFN Council receives all Advance requests from Members
• A Member cannot submit more than 1 Advance Request in any five-year period,
• A request cannot duplicate existing programs or services,
• No personal benefit, personal use, furniture or appliances
• No vehicle for personal use
• No debt repayment
• No travel costs for conferences or competitions
• The amount requested must be accompanied by a budget.
• All Advance Requests from SFN Council to the Community Trustees will be accompanied by forms set out in Schedule D and Schedule F.
• All Advance requests will be submitted by Council to the Administrative Trustee.
• The Administrative Trustee will ensure all documentation is in place and will then forward to the Trustees for review. All Advance requests must be consistent with  priorities.
• The request must be for a Purpose authorized by Subsection 5.1.b and fits within Article 31.0 of the Trust Deed.
• The request cannot duplicate any programs or services already provided for SFN Members.
• The request cannot be for any personal benefit of the SFN Member, or anyone else in particular.
• The request cannot be for:
  • Furniture, equipment, or appliances for personal use
  • Vehicles for personal use
  • The repayment of any form of debt or expense
  • Travel costs to attend conferences or competition
• The amount of the request must clearly indicate a budget, that is not otherwise unreasonable.
• SFN Council may attach conditions to the Advance Request as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and according to the terms and conditions of the Trust.
• SFN Council will review the submission and may ask for more information and clarification.
• The Administrative and Community Trustees will review the Advance Request at their next duly called meeting and every effort will be made to make a decision as quickly as possible.

Questions may be directed to the Associate Trust Officer, Charlene Gill at TD Private Trust, by email: Charlene.gill@td.com
In addition, contact information for community trustees can be found below.